Image apparatus and method for receiving video signal in multiple video modes

ABSTRACT

An image apparatus and a method for receiving a video signal are provided. The image apparatus includes dedicated input terminals for receiving only particular video signals, and a common input terminal for receiving diverse video signals, and determines the format of video signals input through a corresponding input terminal and then displays the determined format on a screen. Accordingly, the number of input terminals can be reduced and the user can identify the format of the video signal input through the common input terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/619,518, filedSep. 14, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/261,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,284,321, filed Oct. 30, 2008, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Korean Patent Application No.10-2007-0110218, filed on Oct. 31, 2007, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate toan image apparatus and receiving a video signal, and more particularly,to providing an image apparatus which receives and processes a videosignal and an audio signal provided from an external device, and thenprovides users with video and audio, and a method for receiving a videosignal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Image apparatuses such as set-top boxes and televisions receive videosignals from external devices such as video players and digital videodisc (DVD) players as well as broadcast signals from broadcast stations,process the signals, and display images on a screen. Such imageapparatuses include dedicated terminals for receiving component videosignals, Separated Video (S-Video or Y/C) signals, and composite videosignals, respectively. If a user connects an output terminal of anexternal device to a corresponding dedicated terminal, the user canacquire desired video and audio.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an external signal input unit ina conventional image apparatus.

With reference to FIG. 1, the external signal input unit 10 in theconventional image apparatus includes a Composite Video Blanking andSync (CVBS) input terminal 13 for receiving composite video signals; aCom-Y input terminal 16, a Pb input terminal 15, and a Pr input terminal14 for receiving component video signals; a S-Video input terminal 17for receiving S-Video signals; and audio input terminals 11 and 12.

The audio input terminals 11 and 12 are common input terminals forreceiving audio signals corresponding to component video signals,S-Video signals, and composite video signals.

In FIG. 1, if a composite video signal provided from a video player isdisplayed on an image apparatus, the user connects the video player tothe dedicated input terminal 13 for receiving composite video signalsfrom among the diverse input terminals 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of theimage apparatus via an RCA cable, i.e., a cable with an RCA plug. If theuser wishes to display component video signals provided from a DVDplayer on the image apparatus, the user connects the DVD player to thededicated input terminals 14, 15, and 16 to receive component videosignals from among the diverse input terminals 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 ofthe image apparatus via an RCA cable.

As described above, the same kind of RCA cable is used for compositevideo signals and component video signals, and the dedicated inputterminals 13, 14, 15, and 16, which receive both types of video signals,have the same form. Therefore, there is a need for methods for using thededicated input terminals having the same form as a common inputterminal and thereby reducing the number of the input terminals on theimage apparatus. Also, there is a need for methods for determining whichformat of a video signal is input to a common input terminal if a commoninput terminal is used instead of dedicated input terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least theabove problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages notdescribed above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcomethe disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may not overcome any of the problems described above.

An aspect of the present invention provides an image apparatus whichuses a common input terminal for receiving diverse video signals insteadof dedicated input terminals for receiving particular video signals inorder to reduce the number of input terminals, and a method forreceiving video signals using the same.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an image apparatuswhich determines the format of video signals input through a dedicatedinput terminal and a common input terminal in order to preventcross-over from occurring when a common input terminal is used, and amethod for receiving video signals using the same.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image apparatus which receives a video signal from anexternal device, the image apparatus includes an external signal inputunit which comprises a plurality of dedicated input terminals, and acommon input terminal, and a control unit which controls the imageapparatus to be operated in a first video mode if a video signal isinput through a first dedicated input terminal among the plurality ofdedicated input terminals, and controls the image apparatus to beoperated in a second video mode if a video signal is input through thecommon input terminal, and not through the plurality of dedicated inputterminals.

The first dedicated input terminal may be an input terminal forreceiving one of a Pb video signal and a Pr video signal constituting acomponent video signal.

The common input terminal may be an input terminal for receiving a Yvideo signal constituting a component video signal, and a compositevideo signal.

The control unit may control the image apparatus to be operated in athird video mode if a video signal is input through a second dedicatedinput terminal among the plurality of dedicated input terminals, and notthrough the first dedicated input terminal.

The second dedicated input terminal may be an input terminal forreceiving an S-Video signal.

The image apparatus may receive a video signal also from a broadcaststation.

The dedicated input terminals and the common input terminal may beconnected to the external device through an RCA cable.

The control unit may be configured as a logic circuit which selects asingle video signal from among video signals input through the pluralityof dedicated input terminals and the common input terminal.

The control unit may control the image apparatus to select according topriority a single video signal from among video signals input throughthe plurality of dedicated input terminals and the common inputterminal, and may be operated in a video mode corresponding to theselected video signal.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for receiving a video signal, the method includingcontrolling an image apparatus to be operated in a first video mode if avideo signal is input through a first dedicated input terminal among aplurality of dedicated input terminals, and controlling the imageapparatus to be operated in a second video mode if a video signal isinput through the common input terminal, and not through the pluralityof dedicated input terminals.

The first dedicated input terminal may be an input terminal forreceiving one of a Pb video signal and a Pr video signal constituting acomponent video signal.

The common input terminal may be an input terminal for receiving a Yvideo signal constituting a component video signal, and a compositevideo signal.

The method of claim 10 may further including controlling the imageapparatus to be operated in a third video mode if a video signal isinput through a second dedicated input terminal among the plurality ofdedicated input terminals, and not through the first dedicated inputterminal.

The second dedicated input terminal may be an input terminal forreceiving an S-Video signal.

The image apparatus may receive a video signal also from a broadcaststation.

The dedicated input terminals and the common input terminal may beconnected to the external device through an RCA cable.

The image apparatus may select according to priority a single videosignal from among video signals input through the plurality of dedicatedinput terminals and the common input terminal, and may be operated in avideo mode corresponding to the selected video signal.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image apparatus, including an external signal input unitwhich comprises input terminals for receiving a video signal of a firstformat, and an input terminal for receiving a video signal of a thirdformat, wherein one of the input terminals for receiving the videosignal of the first format is a common input terminal for receiving avideo signal of a second format, and a control unit which selectsaccording to priority one of the video signals of the first format, thesecond format, and the third format, and controls the image apparatus tobe operated in a video mode corresponding to the selected video signal.

The video signals of the first format may be component video signals,the video signals of the second format may be composite video signals,and the video signals of the third format may be S-Video signals.

The control unit may give priority to the component video signal, theS-Video signal, and the composite video signal in order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be moreapparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an external signal input unit ina conventional image apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an image apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an external signal input unit and acontrol unit in an image apparatus according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a menu displayed on an image apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of an image apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are usedfor like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined inthe description, such as detailed construction and elements, areprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention.However, the present invention can be practiced without thosespecifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions orconstructions are not described in detail since they would obscure theinvention with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an image apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 2, the image apparatus 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a tuner unit 110,an external signal input unit 120, a signal processing unit 130, aspeaker unit 140, a display unit 150, a memory unit 160, a commandreceiving unit 170, and a control unit 180.

The tuner unit 110 tunes to broadcast signals at a frequency bandcorresponding to a control signal of the control unit 180 from amongbroadcast signals transmitted from a broadcast station (not shown),demodulates the tuned broadcast signals, and performs error correction.

The external signal input unit 120 includes a plurality of inputterminals, through which the external signal input unit 120 receivescomponent video signals, an S-Video signal, and a composite image signalfrom an external device, and also receives audio signals correspondingto each of the video signals. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluralityof input terminals are jacks or female connectors. In another exemplaryembodiment, the S-Video signal may be in the S-VHS format.

In an exemplary embodiment, the input terminals for receiving componentvideo signals and the composite video signal are RCA jacks, i.e.,RCA-type female connectors, and are connected to RCA plugs, i.e.,RCA-type male connectors. The component video signals includes luma andtwo color difference video signals, e.g., Y, Pb, and Pr video signals,and requires 3 input terminals for receiving the respective videosignals. A composite video signal may be input to the image apparatus100 through the input terminal for receiving the Y video signal of thecomponent video signals. Hereinafter, the component video signals may becollectively referred to as a video signal.

The signal processing unit 130 processes and outputs broadcast signalsreceived through the tuner unit 110, and video signals and audio signalsreceived through the external signal input unit 120, respectively. Ingreater detail, the signal processing unit 130 separates a video signal,an audio signal, and various additional data signal from the broadcastsignal demodulated by the tuner unit 110.

Subsequently, the signal processing unit 130 processes the video signalseparated from the broadcast signal or a video signal input through theexternal signal input unit 120 so that the video signals have a verticalfrequency, resolution, and aspect ratio suitable for the output standardof the display unit 150. In addition, the signal processing unit 130processes the audio signal separated from the broadcast signal or aaudio signal input through the external signal input unit 120 so thatthe audio signals output are suitable for the output standard of thespeaker unit 140.

The speaker unit 140 amplifies and outputs the audio signal output fromthe signal processing unit 130 at a predetermined volume.

The display unit 150 displays the video signal processed by the signalprocessing unit 130 on the screen, and can be implemented as diversedisplay modules, such as Digital Lighting Processing (DLP) projectors,Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), or Plasma Display Panels (PDP).

The memory unit 160 stores a variety of programs and data which areneeded to operate the image apparatus 100.

The command receiving unit 170 includes a plurality of keys (not shown)for inputting user commands, and a receiving unit for receiving usercommands from a remote control 190. If the command receiving unit 170receives user commands, the command receiving unit 170 transmits keysignals corresponding to the user commands to the control unit 180.

The control unit 180, which may be implemented as a microcomputer or acentral processing unit (CPU), operates the overall system to performfunctions corresponding to key signals transmitted from the commandreceiving unit 170. In the present invention, the control unit 180operates the signal processing unit 130 to process a video signal inputthrough the input terminals formed on the external signal input unit120. That is, the control unit 180 determines the format of the videosignal input through the external signal input unit 120. If a videosignal is input to the image apparatus 100, the control unit 180controls the image apparatus 100 to be operated in a video modecorresponding to the format of the video signal. The operation of thecontrol unit 180 will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the external signal input unit 120 andthe control unit 180 in the image apparatus 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, the external signal input unit 120 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes audio inputterminals 121 and 122 for receiving right and left audio signals, inputterminals 123, 124, and 125 for receiving a component video signal, andan input terminal 126 for receiving an S-Video signal. The inputterminal 125 is a common input terminal, through which a composite videosignal can also be input. The audio input terminals 121 and 122 arecommon input terminals for receiving audio signals corresponding to acomponent video signal, an S-Video signal, and composite video signals.In an exemplary embodiment, all or some of the input terminals 123, 124and 125 are RCA jacks and the input terminal 126 may be a mini-DINfemale connector. In another embodiment, there may be connectors otherthan RCA jacks and the present invention is not limited to usingRCA-type connectors.

The control unit 180 determines image signals which are input throughthe dedicated input terminals 123 and 124 for receiving a Pr videosignal and a Pb video signal constituting the component video signals,the common input terminal 125 for receiving a Y video signal furtherconstituting the component video signals and a composite video signal,and the dedicated input terminal 126 for receiving an S-Video signal,and controls the image apparatus 100 to be operated in a video modecorresponding to the format of the input video signal.

With reference to FIG. 3, the control unit 180 includes three NOR gates.A first NOR gate NOR1 includes a grounded first input terminal which isnot in use, and a second input terminal which is connected to the Pbinput terminal 124. A second NOR gate NOR2 includes a first inputterminal which is connected to the Pb input terminal 124, a second inputterminal which is connected to the common input terminal 125, and athird input terminal which is connected to the S-Video input terminal126. A third NOR gate NOR3 includes a first input terminal which isconnected to the Pb input terminal 124, and a second input terminalwhich is connected to the S-Video input terminal 126.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 180 may be configured as a logiccircuit, so can be integrated into hardware, or may be designed assoftware and stored as a program. The control unit 180 may be operatedin accordance with Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Common input S-Video input Pb input terminal terminal terminalVideo mode ◯ ◯ ◯ component ◯ ◯ X component ◯ X ◯ component ◯ X Xcomponent X ◯ ◯ S-Video X X ◯ S-Video X ◯ X CVBS In Table 1, ◯represents that a video signal is input, and X represents that a videosignal is not input.

With reference to Table 1, regardless of whether a video signal is inputthrough the common input terminal 125 or the S-Video input terminal 126,if a video signal is input through the Pb input terminal 124, thecontrol unit 180 controls the image apparatus 100 to be operated in acomponent video mode. Regardless of whether a video signal is inputthrough the common input terminal 125, if a video signal is not inputthrough the Pb input terminal 124 but input through the S-Video inputterminal 126, the control unit 180 controls the image apparatus 100 tobe operated in a S-Video mode. If a video signal is not input throughthe Pb input terminal 124 and the S-Video input terminal 126, but inputthrough the common input terminal 125, the control unit 180 controls theimage apparatus 100 to be operated in a CVBS video mode.

That is, the control unit 180 gives priority to the Pb input terminal124, the S-Video input terminal 126, and the common input terminal 125in order, and then controls the image apparatus 100 to be operated in avideo mode corresponding to the input video signal. In a component videomode, the control unit 180 operates the signal processing unit 130 toprocess component video signals input through the input terminals 123,124, and 125. In an S-Video mode, the control unit 180 operates thesignal processing unit 130 to process S-Video signals input through theinput terminal 126. In a CVBS video mode, the control unit 180 operatesthe signal processing unit 130 to process a composite video signal inputthrough the input terminal 125.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a menu displayed in an image apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Among the video modes in the menu shown in FIG. 4, the COMPONENT1 220represents a video mode corresponding to component video signals inputthrough the component input terminals 123, 124, and 125, the S-VIDEO1240 represents a video mode corresponding to an S-Video signal inputthrough the S-Video input terminal 126, and the CVBS 1 260 represents avideo mode corresponding to a CVBS video signal input through the commoninput terminals 125. The COMPONENT2 230, S-VIDEO2 250, and CVBS2 270represent video modes corresponding to the conventional dedicated inputterminals 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, if a video signal is input through thePb input terminal 124, the COMPONENT1 220 in the menu 200 is displayedin an active state, and the S-VIDEO1 240 and CVBS1 260 in the menu 200are displayed in an inactive state so that the user cannot select theS-VIDEO1 240 and CVBS1 260. That is, the user can select one ofCOMPONENT1 220, COMPONENT2 230, S-VIDEO2 250, and CVBS2 270.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of an image apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to FIG. 5, the control unit 180 determines whether or not avideo signal is input through the Pb input terminal 124 (S300). If it isdetermined that a video signal is input through the Pb input terminal124 (S300-Y), the control unit 180 determines that the input videosignal is a component video signal (S330). In operation S300, if it isdetermined that a video signal is not input through the Pb inputterminal 124 (S300-N), the control unit 180 subsequently determineswhether or not a video signal is input through the S-Video inputterminal 126 (S310).

If it is determined that a video signal is input through the S-Videoinput terminal 126 (S310-Y), the control unit 180 determines that theinput video signal is an S-Video signal (S340). In operation S310, if itis determined that a video signal is not input through the S-Video inputterminal 126 (S310-N), the control unit 180 determines whether or not avideo signal is input through the common input terminal 125 (S320).

If it is determined that a video signal is input through the commoninput terminal 125 (S320-Y), the control unit 180 determines that theinput video signal is a CVBS video signal (S350). In operation S320, ifit is determined that a video signal is not input through the commoninput terminal 125 (S320-N), the control unit 180 determines that novideo signal is input to the image apparatus 100, and so finishes theoperation.

The control unit 180 operates the signal processing unit 130 and thedisplay unit 150 to process and display the determined video signal onthe screen, respectively (S360).

Following the above process, the format of an input video signal isdetermined and displayed on the screen.

As can be appreciated from the above description, a common inputterminal is used to receive diverse formats of video signals so that thenumber of input terminals mounted on an image apparatus can be reduced,and cross-over can be prevented by activating a video mode correspondingto a received video signal.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not tobe construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching canbe readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the descriptionof the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is intended to beillustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a video signal inputunit including a common video input terminal and at least one non-commonvideo input terminal to receive video signal from an external device;and a signal processing unit configured to process the received videosignal.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the common video inputterminal is used to receive at least two different types of videosignals in order to reduce the number of video input terminals.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein a shape of a first plug corresponding toone of the at least two different types of video signals, which ispluggable into the common video input terminal, is identical to a shapeof a second plug corresponding to another one of the at least twodifferent types of video signals, which is pluggable into the commonvideo input terminal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at leastone common video input terminal is used to receive Y video signal whencomponent video signals are input, and the same common video inputterminal can be used to receive CVBS when composite video signal isinput.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one non-commonvideo input terminal comprises a first dedicated video input terminalfor receiving Pb video signal of component video signals and a seconddedicated video input terminal for receiving Pr video signal ofcomponent video signals.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signalprocessing unit is operable in a first video mode to process first videosignal received via the common video input terminal and the at least onenon-common video input terminal and operable in a second video mode toprocess second video signal received via the common video input terminaland not through the at least one non-common video input terminal.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the common video input terminal isprovided with indications that either a first video connectortransmitting a first type of video signal or a second video connectortransmitting a second type of video signal can be plugged therein. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein names corresponding to the first videoconnector and the second video connector pluggable into the common videoinput terminal are provided on an exterior surface of the apparatus. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first video connector comprisesone of component video connectors and the second video connectorcomprises composite video connector.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the first video signal is component video signal and the secondvideo signal is composite video signal, wherein a user interfacedisplaying a menu listing a plurality of video input formats selectablesuch that at least one of composite video signal format and componentvideo signal format is displayed in an inactive state based on thereceived input video signal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein thecommon video input terminal comprises a single video input socketadapted for removably connecting with one of RCA video connectors, andthe at least one non-common video input terminal comprise two videoinput sockets adapted for removably connecting with two of the RCA videoconnectors.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least onenon-common video input terminal includes an input terminal for receivingone of two color difference signals of component video signals.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein, in the first video mode, the commonvideo input terminal functions as an input terminal for receiving a lumasignal of the component video signals, and wherein, in the second videomode, the common video input terminal functions as an input terminal forreceiving CVBS of the composite video signal.
 14. The apparatus of claim13, further comprising a control unit configured to control so that thesignal processing unit operates in the first video mode if the firstvideo signal is input through the common video input terminal and the atleast one non-common video input terminal and operates in the secondvideo mode if the second video signal is input through the common videoinput terminal and not through the at least one non-common video inputterminal.
 15. A television apparatus comprising: a video signal inputunit including a common video input terminal and at least one non-commonvideo input terminal to receive video signal from an external device; asignal processing unit operable in a first video mode to process firstvideo signal received through the common video input terminal and the atleast one non-common video input terminal and operable in a second videomode to process second video signal received through the common videoinput terminal and not through the at least one non-common video inputterminal; and a display unit to display images according to video signalprocessed by the signal processing unit.
 16. The television apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the common video input terminal is used to receive Yvideo signal when component video signals are input, and the same commonvideo input terminal can be used to receive CVBS when composite videosignal is input.
 17. The television apparatus of claim 16, wherein theat least one non-common video input terminal comprises a first dedicatedvideo input terminal for receiving Pb video signal of component videosignals and a second dedicated video input terminal for receiving Prvideo signal of component video signals.
 18. The television apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the first video signal is component video signals andthe second video signal is composite video signal, wherein the displayunit displays a user interface menu listing a plurality of video inputformats selectable such that at least one of composite video signalformat and component video signal format is displayed in an inactivestate based on a type of the received input video signal.
 19. Thetelevision apparatus of claim 15, wherein the common video inputterminal comprises a single video input socket for removably connectingwith one of RCA video connectors, and the at least one non-common videoinput terminal comprise two video input sockets for removably connectingwith two of the RCA video connectors.
 20. The television apparatus ofclaim 15, further comprising a control unit configured to control sothat the signal processing unit operates in the first video mode if thefirst video signal is input via the common video input terminal and theat least one non-common video input terminal and operates in the secondvideo mode if the second video signal is input the common video inputterminal and not through the at least one non-common video inputterminal.
 21. A set-top device comprising: a video signal input unitincluding a common video input terminal and a at least one non-commonvideo input terminal to receive video signal from an external device;and a signal processing unit operable in a first video mode to processfirst video signal received via the common video input terminal and theat least one non-common video input terminal and operable in a secondvideo mode to process second video signal received via the common videoinput terminal and not through the at least one non-common video inputterminal.
 22. The set-top device of claim 21, further comprising acontrol unit configured to control so that the signal processing unitoperates in the first video mode if the first video signal is input viathe common video input terminal and the at least one non-common videoinput terminal and operates in the second video mode if the second videosignal is input the common video input terminal and not through the atleast one non-common video input terminal.
 23. An apparatus comprising:a video signal input unit including a common video input terminal and atleast one non-common video input terminal to receive video signal froman external device; and a control unit configured to determine a formatof the received video signal.
 24. An apparatus of claim 23, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to determine the format of the received videosignal to be component video signals if one of the at least onenon-common video input terminal is connected and to be composite videosignal if the common video input terminal and none of the at least onenon-common video input terminal is connected.
 25. An apparatus of claim23, wherein the control unit controls the apparatus to be operable in avideo mode corresponding to the format of the received video signal.